Wolves 1 Newcastle 2 – Magpies Win Again – Report

Written by Dr. Ed Harrison

5:08pm Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Commented 95 times

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This win was a little more comfortable than the 2-1 scoreline would suggest, since Wolves got their goal at the death after 88 minutes, but then seemed to have scored a dramatic equalizer in added time, but it was ruled that the ball had crossed the bye line.

And the 88th minute goal prevented the Newcastle defense from registering their 4th clean sheet of the season, but Newcastle had Lady Luck on their side once again in this game.

While Wolves had a number of chances in the first half and two decent appeals for a penalty, one of which should have been given, overall Newcastle contained them well.

And in the second half Newcastle were seeing the win out fairly easily, when Wolves scored. But then Newcastle had to hold out for some nervous moments in the end, but they deserved a win and it would have been a travesty if Newcastle hadn’t come away with all 3 points, but that what comes when you don’t kill off a game.

There was sloppiness today creeping into the play from some of the Newcastle players, especially in that second half, when they were far too causal at times, but overall this was another good organized display from the Newcastle team, and two excellent goals scored by Demba Ba and Gutierrez.

However, Ba should have had his second when he was put clean through brilliantly by Best in the second half.

Leon Best didn’t score today, but he’s looking a better player in every game and he’s also starting to create chances too, and as we said he set one up on a plate for Demba Ba who should have made it 3-0 and game won in the second half.

Here is a full report of the game:

Newcastle started the game in full autumn sunshine this afternoon and the lads were wearing their white shorts.

A free kick was taken by O’Hara after only 2 minutes just outside the penalty box, and Tim Krul showed why he is the number one goalkeeper on Tyneside with a great save diving to his right to make the save.

Both teams started the game cautiously and slowly but then after 9 minutes Ba found himself clear down the left wing, but his cross was cut out – it was a good opening by Newcastle that came to nothing.

and then on 10 minutes a Jarvis cross from the right went to Doyle who didn’t connect properly and his shot was saved by Krul.

Tim had another excellent game in the Newcastle goal today, and on his performances this season he should soon be the Dutch number one goalkeeper.

Then on 13 minutes Doyle was through on the Newcastle goal, but Krul blocked the shot on the edge of the penalty box – a good save again from the Dutch International.

Then on 17 minutes Newcastle went ahead with another goal from a set play.

Cabaye took the corner kick from the left, and put in a beautiful ball to the near post and Demba Ba was first to the ball to head in from just two yards out – a well worked goal from Demba Ba, his 4th goal in the last two games.

Newcastle were looking good, but as expected the Wolves side were full of fight, and in 20 minutes it took another great save by Krul to keep Newcastle ahead.

It looked like the ball was going in but Krul blocked the ball brilliantly with his feet and then Taylor blocked another attempt to keep the ball out, and the ball went looping over the bar for a corner – a let-off for the Newcastle side.

Then on 29 minutes Cheick Tiote almost scored, as he got the ball 25 yards out and hit a terrific drive that Hennessey did well to save at full stretch to his right, as he pushed the ball away for a corner.

Then Best set up Gutierrez brilliantly from the right wing, and Gutierrez should have scored but he hit his shot from two yards out straight at Hennessey.

On 37 minutes good inter-play between Jarvis and Doyle saw the Irish International shoot well wide, and it was a decent chance for Wolves.

Then on 39 minutes Gutierrez went clean through on the left wing as he avoided several tackles, and then he hit a wonderful left foot shot into the corner of the net past a well beaten Hennessey – a brilliant goal from the Argentinean International, and his first of the season.

On 41 minutes a tackle by Steven Taylor looked to be inside the box and a foul, but the referee gave a free kick just outside the box on the left wing. TV replays suggested it was inside the box and it should have been a penalty – and as we said luck was on our side this afternoon.

Then O’Hara was teed up with the free kick and he hit a shot that seemed to hit the bar and go over, but the referee gave a corner thinking that Krul had touched it over.

Wolves were exerting pressure on Newcastle and the Magpies had to concentrate, but Wolves were pushing forward for a goal, and the Wolves side were also becoming frustrated as Newcastle were steady at the back.

On 44 minutes Jarvis was seemingly fouled by Simpson in the box but the referee waved play on, and the TV replays showed it was a decent challenge by Danny Simpson, but there were boos coming from the Molineaux crowd, who presumably though they had been deprived of two penalties.

Half time came and it was a hugely entertaining and open display of football from both sides, with Newcastle 2-0 up through two very well taken goals by Ba and Gutierrez. But Wolves will be aggrieved that they went close on a few occasions and though they had good claims for at least one penalty turned down.

At the beginning of the second half some careless play by Obertan in front of the Newcastle penalty area put Tiote in trouble, and he had to foul Doyle out on the wing to stop Wolves catching Newcastle short at the back, but thankfully nothing came of the free kick, but it was sloppy play by Obertan.

Then a good run out on the right wing by Jarvis ended in an excellent cross but Danny Simpson headed the ball for a corner – good play by the Newcastle right back, but it was obvious that Wolves were in no way giving up on this game and they started to press Newcastle.

Then Newcastle over did their passing once again and Tiote got into trouble and was dispossessed by Jamie O’Hara, but Fletcher shot wide – but it was more sloppy play from Newcastle.

Wolves were excellent in the second half at Liverpool last week and this game was by no means over when manager McCarthy made a double substitution just before the hour mark.

Wolves were pressing well and a good move down the right wing by substitute Hammill saw the ball go loose to O’Hara just outside the box but he shot yards wide, and it was a poor effort from the former Tottenham player – a free shot for Wolves.

Wolves were continuing to miss their chances and a cross in from the left wing saw Fletcher with a good chance but he hit the ball well over the cross-bar. Then Ba went down injured, and for a little while the injury to his foot looked a bad one but he got up with a limp but played on.

Jarvis made a good run into the box but then was challenged well by Steven Taylor and Newcastle cleared, but then on the breakaway after 65 minutes, Demba Ba should have scored as he was put through brilliantly by Leon Best, but Ba put the ball wide – with only the goalkeeper to beat – a bad miss from the Senegal striker from just 11 yards out.

And then Wolves broke through with Jarvis down the left wing on 66 minutes, and Tim Krul made two brilliant saves at full stretch, one from Fletcher, and he again saved Newcastle , but Wolves were missing far too many chances.

On 71 minutes Lovenkrands replaced Demba Ba.

Wolves were having a lot of the play but they seemed to lack a cutting edge up front, and while they created some good positions for themselves, they were weak in that last third of the field and Newcastle were containing them fairly well, although manager Pardew will not have been too impressed with Newcastle’s second half display today.

And just when it looked like Newcastle would keep their 4th clean sheet of the season, they conceded a goal, when Steven Fletcher headed home from the right hand side of the six yard box and into the bottom right hand corner past Tim Krul, from an Adam Hammill cross.

That made for a hectic finish and Alan Pardew tried to disrupt the play by making two substitutions – Danny Guthrie for Yohan Cabaye and then Sylvain Marveaux for Gabriel Obertan, which was a substitution that probably should have been made earlier in the second half as Obertan was too casual in the second half.

Then in the first minute of five minutes of added time, Wolves thought they had grabbed a dramatic equalizer, but Doyle’s close range shot was ruled out, as the ball had gone over the bye line – a close shave for Newcastle – so Newcastle got the rub of the green in this game too.

But Newcastle held out for their 4th league win of the season, and they stay in 4th position in the league with 15 points from their first 7 league games.

But the lads should learn from the second half in this game, that they need to put those chances away and nail in a victory.

Good teams manage to win somehow – and that’s exactly what Newcastle did this afternoon – and we really shouldn’t be grumbling too much – 15 points from the first 7 league games is just fantastic.

If we go on like this we will not even be in a relegation struggle and we’re now 4th top of the Premier League for at least the next couple of weeks over the International break, and still 2 points above Liverpool.

95 comments so far

The play in the build up to the second goal was some of the best I’ve seen us play; Gutz shot was great. Obertan was a bit wasteful with possession, but overall we looked a different class at times in the first half.

Can’t believe people are slagging off the manager. Ben Arfa, Sammy and Marveaux are NOT the type of players to bring on to a match away from home when you have a narrow lead and are under the cosh. Some of you are cretins.

AP did nothing wrong with the subs, wolves were hard tackeling today look at the colo challenge. To put on players who have just came back from injury like ben arfa, marveux and santon up agains that would of been suicidal. wud you of liked it if we put em on and they got injuries for up to 3 months??

Actually, until Chelsea throttle Bolton tomorrow, we’re in third place! Exciting game–we looked great in the first half, but were hanging by a tenuous thread in the second half. We should have come out of there with one point, but we got lucky. That’s the opposite of what happened to us in some of the early fixtures last year (West Ham comes to mind). Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and we were a little bit of both today. But after only seven games played in the season, we’re over a third of the way to ensuring our place in the Premier League next season. That’s a comforting thought.

second half was a poor performance, but good teams win when thinngs go bad thats a positive :0)

must say i was disappointed with the workrate shown by the two strikers in the second half, i always say you need to defend from the front which we didnt, combined with Jonas seeming out of position and getting caught too far infield put pressure on us.

After the first ten minutes obertan should have been hoisted off, people have been giving simpson flack for poor defending but when your winger dissapears for the second half no wonder, no wonder he gets doubled up on and even worse, the cross came from that side for the goal.

In total as a match 3 points good game, Wolves unlucky not to get a draw, toon go marching on and just about deserve the win on the first half performance!

Comfortable? U didnt watch it then. easily could have lost it by 3 goals. suspected as much yesterday on a previous blog with a 2-1 toon win in a very very tight match.. glad we got the points hard place to win. good job lads.

It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning’s winning. Quote off twitter but rings true. Wins breed confidence. Our second half is a warning of what we are in store for if we take the foot off the pedal. Lucky with ref decisions but who cares. Full time result 2-1. Lots to work on but unbeaten into international break. Fantastic

People need to take into consideration that Wolves are a team that will never back down, and will do ANYTHING to get into a game. The first half yes we did walk over them. The second half, remember the last time they were put down (Blackburn 3-0 up at half time), they fought with all they could. We weren’t bad at all, we were just fighting to keep ourselves out of a battle for a point. Take the 3 points…

AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHUT UP ABOUT THE SUBS! After that tackle on Colo and Best I thought they were out! Imagine if it were marv of HBA, you are telling me you’d risk em out of another season. I’m glad none of that crowd are on the management. AP’s only mistake, bringing lova on instead of another midfielder I reckon

“AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHUT UP ABOUT THE SUBS! After that tackle on Colo and Best I thought they were out! Imagine if it were marv of HBA, you are telling me you’d risk em out of another season”

Don’t understand the stick Lovenkrands is getting. He is one of our hardest working players and I’d rather have put him on than someone like Ben Arfa who would have strolled around up front. We got lucky and while the team didn’t play well second half I’m sure it will give the management something to think about for future games to try and prevent it happening again. Let’s just enjoy where we are

@boater i totally agree. It is a win that we can enjoy and it gives pardew a helluva lot to reflect upon. Also guthrie was alright when on. Didn’t get the loven sub but hey ho lads cabaye looked knackered and ba looked like he twisted his ankle. A long season ahead but we have improved or equalled every result from last season. Arsenal same QPR not played the rest are all bettered i think.

All I’m going to say about that, Obertan was dreadful. His wasteful touches had us on the backfoot for pretty much all of the 2nd half, excellent result but I don’t think it would have been much of a risk to give Ben Arfa 15-20 minutes at the end. Overall, I won’t let that take the edge off another nice result.

My and other peoples critique just might come out apparent against the spuds I HOPE TO GOD it does not and Marv and HBA get a start we will need them both….Jonas although ran and made a super sick goal does not have the delivery I would try Marv as spuds dont really know him well…

I think the substitutions by Pardew have more to do with “Locker Room Politics” and than merit.

Lovenkrands scored two goals against Nottingham. Pardews wanted to make a statement that if you produce for the club, you’ll get your chances. I think this is why we wont be seeing Santon start at LB until we actually lose a game.

I think Guthrie was chosen over Santon, because Pardew wants to bring Santon in as a substitute during a Home game.

A win’s a win and we are a better team than Wolves anyway. Okay so we rode our luck. Wolves were not going to lie down so second half always going to be a battle away from home. Pards tactics and subs were a bit dodgy at QPR and Molineux and I hope he learns from that. Doesn’t deserve the slagging off he’s getting here though. Last season we lost a lot of games we deserved to at least draw so maybe we’re just catching up on our luck.

@Andy: Winning breeds confidence but I think we might need a loss to bring the lads back down to Earth. Second half saw us resting on our laurels and we saw how that bit us. After Wolves scored, you saw us fighting back.

“I think the substitutions by Pardew have more to do with “Locker Room Politics” and than merit.”

Now we are talkiing..

I think a lot of people are misunderstanding some of my comments, its not bashing the game has just left me with a poor impression of the team. We really under performed its not good enough. We are in the premiership for gods sakes some games LIKE THAT can easily go the other way as we battle for I dunno europa league will you be as calm then to see us loose because we are SLOPPY?

health update

I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in February 2017 and completed four months of chemotherapy in late July and will continue to have hormone treatment.

After having various cat scans and a full bone scan recently, I met with the medical oncologist yesterday for a review of my condition.

The cancer in the bones has stabilized and has not spread further, and my PSA count has decreased significantly to being less than 0.1.

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Hopefully, the hormone treatment will keep working for a while yet and then we will switch to some other treatments that have been developed over the last few years.

It is as it is - I accept it - and will do the very best I can under the circumstances.

Ed Harrison

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